Chief Financial Officer
SkyWater has been retained by Christian Brothers Services, a 250 employee, mission-driven, faith-based organization, to identify their next Chief Financial Officer:
A long-standing and highly respected organization, this firm has a strong reputation for its culture, stability, and commitment to serving its members. With more than 60 years of history, the organization operates a complex, multi-entity model spanning health, retirement, risk, and consulting solutions, supporting thousands of institutions across the United States.
The Chief Financial Officer role is open due to a leadership transition and represents a critical hire for the organization. Sitting on the executive leadership team and reporting directly to the President & CEO, the CFO will lead all financial strategy, planning, and operations while serving as a key thought partner to leadership and the Board.
This is not a traditional CFO role. The organization is seeking a forward-looking, strategic finance leader who can operate beyond accounting, helping guide enterprise decision-making, anticipate downstream impacts, and bring greater clarity and discipline to a complex environment.
The CFO will have significant visibility across the organization, regularly engaging with the Board of Directors, audit and finance committees, and other stakeholders. This individual will play a central role in helping the organization evolve, modernize its financial approach, and position itself for long-term, sustainable growth.
*** This position offers a very strong overall package; including a competitive base salary, bonus incentives, and robust benefits. ***
*** We are currently only considering candidates in the Chicago area, or willing to relocate to the Chicago area. This role is based at their HQ in Romeoville, IL with an expectation of a regular on-site presence (Tues-Thurs). ***
Responsibilities
- Strategic Financial Leadership
- Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the CEO and executive leadership team
- Provide forward-looking financial insight to support enterprise decision-making, growth, and long-term planning
- Evaluate strategic initiatives, cost structures, and investment decisions with an ROI-driven mindset
- Help the organization anticipate second-order impacts of key decisions Financial Planning & Analysis
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting across a complex, multi-entity environment
- Monitor financial performance and provide actionable insights to improve efficiency and outcomes
- Establish discipline around financial planning, resource allocation, and performance management
- Translate financial data into clear insights for both financial and non-financial stakeholders Operational Excellence
- Oversee accounting, treasury, and financial operations, ensuring strong internal controls and compliance
- Maintain and enhance financial systems, processes, and reporting capabilities to support scalability
- Drive process improvements and operational efficiency across the finance function
- Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, plan documents, and service agreements Stakeholder Management
- Serve as the primary financial liaison to the Board of Directors, audit committee, finance committee, and other governance bodies
- Maintain strong relationships with external partners including auditors, financial institutions, and advisors
- Lead communication of financial results, forecasts, and key initiatives to internal and external stakeholders Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing finance team within a tenured, mission-driven culture
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
- Support the organization through ongoing leadership transition and generational change
Desired Skills and Experience
- MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, or related field
- 15+ years of progressive financial leadership experience
- Experience as a CFO, divisional CFO, or senior finance leader in a complex organization
- Demonstrated ability to operate in multi-entity or highly governed environments
- Strong financial acumen across planning, reporting, and performance management
- Proven ability to partner with executive leadership and influence strategic decision-making PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master of Business Administration
- Certified Public Accountant
- Experience within financial services, insurance, healthcare, or other regulated industries
- Experience working closely with boards, trustees, or governance committees KNOWLEDGE, SKILL & ABILITIES
- Strategic Thinking – Ability to anticipate risks, evaluate trade-offs, and guide long-term decision-making
- Financial Acumen – Deep understanding of financial drivers and ability to translate insights into action
- Executive Presence – Confidence and credibility to engage effectively with senior leadership and boards
- Collaboration – Builds strong partnerships across functions and stakeholders
- Intellectual Curiosity – Brings a forward-looking mindset, including interest in leveraging data, systems, and emerging technologies
- Leadership – Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams
- Communication – Ability to clearly articulate complex financial concepts to diverse audiences
- Change Agility – Comfortable operating in an evolving environment with organizational and leadership transition
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